Valve timing control apparatus for internal combustion engine and internal combustion engine using the same

Abstract

Provided is a novel valve timing control apparatus capable of reducing an axial length and of reducing a thickness of a housing. A valve timing control apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a timing pulley to which a rotational force is transmitted from a crankshaft via a timing belt, a housing configured to be rotated by the timing pulley and including a plurality of shoes provided on an inner peripheral surface thereof, and a vane rotor relatively rotatably contained inside the housing and configured to be rotated in synchronization with a camshaft. The vane rotor includes a vane forming a retard angle oil chamber and an advance angle oil chamber inside the housing in cooperation with the plurality of shoes. A predetermined interval is provided between an outer peripheral portion of the housing and an inner peripheral portion of the timing pulley. An outer peripheral portion of a housing main body of the housing and the inner peripheral portion of the timing pulley are coupled with each other via a plurality of coupling beam portions with intervals in a circumferential direction. The housing main body, the timing pulley, and the plurality of coupling beam portions are integrally formed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates to a valve timing control apparatus that variably controls an opening / closing timing of an engine valve, which is an intake valve or an exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine, according to an operation state, and an internal combustion engine using this valve timing control apparatus.BACKGROUND ART[0002]As a conventional valve timing control apparatus, a vane-type valve timing control apparatus is well known. This vane-type valve timing control apparatus includes a housing to which a rotational force is transmitted from a crankshaft, and a vane member rotatably contained inside this housing and fixed at an end portion of the camshaft. An advance angle oil chamber and a retard angle oil chamber are formed between a plurality of shoes each protruding inward from a diameter direction on an inner peripheral surface of the housing, and a plurality of vanes of the vane member.[0003]Then, the vane-type valve timing control apparatu...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a valve timing control apparatus that reduces the diameter and weight of the housing by reinforcing the outer peripheral portion of the housing with a thin thickness. This is achieved by integrating the outer peripheral portion of the housing and the inner peripheral portion of the timing pulley through coupling beam portions. This design eliminates the need for additional housing materials and reduces manufacturing costs.

Problems solved by technology

Some of conventional valve timing control apparatuses have failed to achieve the reduction in the axial size because a timing pulley and the housing forming the advance angle oil chamber and the retard angle oil chamber are disposed while being axially arranged.

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